Intérêt de la N-acétylcystéine dans le traitement des addictions

Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have accumulated demonstrating the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in addiction to different drugs (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin) and behavioral addiction (pathological gambling and Trichotillomania). The objective of this review is to present published and ongoing clinical trials to discuss behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms mediating the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in addictions or even poly-addictions. Numerous studies reported the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in both drug addiction and behavioral addiction. The effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine could be mediated by the correction of glutamatergic deregulations induced by chronic drug consumption, glutamate playing a key role in the learning process between the effects of drugs and the environmental stimuli associated with drugs. Surprisingly, the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in addiction could also be linked to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.